Felipe Pablo Enriquez

Ignacio resident Felipe Pablo Enriquez died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at his home. He was 88.

Mr. Enriquez was born to Epifanio and Felecita (Lopez) Enriquez on April 19, 1924, in Tiffany. He was one of 11 children.

He spent his early years with his grandfather Faustine Enriquez working the land.

On Oct. 8, 1943, he married Ophelia Martinez in Rosa, N.M., which is now submerged under Navajo Reservoir.

In the early years of their marriage, Mr. Enriquez worked for San Juan Lumber Co. of Pagosa Springs and Durango. He worked for various outfits, one of which cleared the runs at Purgatory Ski Area, now Durango Mountain Resort.

After moving to Durango, he became a heavy-equipment operator for the La Plata County Road and Bridge Department. After 20 years with the county, Mr. Enriquez retired to his Ignacio home, where he and his wife lived for many years.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed those activities most when he was with his sons, his family said.

He is survived by his daughters Bernadette Lopez of Ignacio, Grace Rodriguez of Durango and Inez Ribera of Corvallis, Ore.; sons Donald Enriquez of Caņon City and Robert Enriquez of Grand Bay, Ala.; brothers Porfirio Enriquez of Pueblo and Frank Enriquez of Pahrump, Nev.; sister Mary Rocha of Brighton; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 254 East Fifth Ave., in Durango. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, also at Sacred Heart. The Rev. Larry Gallegos will be the celebrant.